Chevrolet Express Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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Vehicle Care 223
If a low oil Driver Information Center
(DIC) message displays, check the
oil level.
Follow these guidelines:
.To get an accurate reading, park
the vehicle on level ground.
Check the engine oil level after
the engine has been off for at
least two hours. Checking the
engine oil level on steep grades
or too soon after engine shutoff
can result in incorrect readings.
Accuracy improves when
checking a cold engine prior to
starting. Remove the dipstick
and check the level.
. If unable to wait two hours, the
engine must be off for at least
15 minutes if the engine is
warm, or at least 30 minutes if
the engine is not warm. Pull out
the dipstick, wipe it with a clean
paper towel or cloth, then push it
back in all the way. Remove it
again, keeping the tip down, and
check the level.When to Add Engine Oil
4.3L V6 Engine
6.0L V8 Engine
If the oil is below the cross-hatched
area at the tip of the dipstick and
the engine has been off for at least
15 minutes, add 1 L (1 qt) of the
recommended oil and then recheck
the level. See “Selecting the Right
Engine Oil” later in this section for
an explanation of what kind of oil to
use. For engine oil crankcase
capacity, see Capacities and
Specifications 0318.
Caution
Do not add too much oil. Oil
levels above or below the
acceptable operating range
shown on the dipstick are harmful
to the engine. If the oil level is
above the operating range (i.e.,
the engine has so much oil that
the oil level gets above the
cross-hatched area that shows
the proper operating range), the
engine could be damaged. Drain
the excess oil or limit driving of
the vehicle, and seek a service
professional to remove the
excess oil.
See Engine Compartment Overview
0 218 for the location of the engine
oil fill cap.
Add enough oil to put the level
somewhere in the proper operating
range. Push the dipstick all the way
back in when through.
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226 Vehicle Care
However, if there is a large leak, it
may be necessary to have the
vehicle towed to a dealer and have
it repaired before driving the vehicle
further.
Change the fluid and filter at the
intervals listed inMaintenance
Schedule 0305, and be sure to use
the transmission fluid listed in
Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants 0313.
How to Check Automatic
Transmission Fluid
Because this operation can be
difficult, it is recommended to have
this check done at your dealer,
which can monitor the transmission
temperature. The transmission fluid
level increases with temperature. To
obtain a highly accurate fluid level
check, the transmission temperature
must be measured.
If it is decided to check the fluid
level, be sure to follow all the
instructions here, or a false reading
on the dipstick may occur.
Caution
Too much or too little fluid can
damage the transmission. Too
much can mean that some of the
fluid could come out and fall on
hot engine parts or exhaust
system parts, starting a fire. Too
little fluid could cause the
transmission to overheat. Be sure
to get an accurate reading if
checking the transmission fluid.
Wait at least 30 minutes with the
engine off, before checking the
transmission fluid level if the vehicle
has been driven:
. In hot weather, when outside
temperatures are above 32 °C
(90 °F).
. The vehicle is heavily loaded.
. At high speed for quite a while in
hot weather.
. In heavy traffic and hot weather.
. While pulling a trailer. After driving under these conditions,
a hot check can be performed. The
fluid should be hot, which is 71 °C to
93 °C (160 °F to 200 °F).
A cold fluid level check can be
performed after the vehicle has
been sitting for eight hours or more
with the engine off, but this is used
only as a reference. Let the engine
run at idle for five minutes if the
outside temperature is between
15 °C to 32 °C (60 °F to 90 °F).
Should the fluid level be low during
this cold check, the fluid must be
checked warm or hot before adding
fluid. If the outside temperature is
colder than 15 °C (60 °F) or hotter
than 32 °C (90 °F), a cold check
cannot be performed.
A warm fluid level check can be
performed by driving the vehicle
under lightly loaded conditions and
outside temperatures between 10 °C
to 27 °C (50 °F to 80 °F). The
vehicle should be driven for at least
24 km (15 mi) before performing a
warm check. Checking the fluid
Chevrolet Express Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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Vehicle Care 227
warm or hot will give a more
accurate reading of the fluid level
than a cold check.
Because the vehicle is equipped
with a high-efficiency air-to-oil
cooler, the transmission fluid
temperature may not reach the
required hot fluid level checking
temperature under normal lightly
loaded driving vehicle conditions.
Checking the Fluid Level
Prepare the vehicle:1. Park the vehicle on a level place. Keep the engine
running.
2. With the parking brake applied, place the shift lever in P (Park).
3. With a foot on the brake pedal, move the shift lever through
each gear range, pausing for
about three seconds in each
range. When M is reached,
move the selector from M1
through M3. Then, position the
shift lever in P (Park).
4. Let the engine run at idle for two minutes or more. Then, without shutting off the
engine, use the steps that follow.
The transmission dipstick is near
the center of the engine
compartment and will be labeled
with the graphic shown.
See
Engine Compartment Overview
0 218 for more information on
location.
1. COLD Range
2. WARM Range
3. HOT Range
1. Flip the handle up, pull out the dipstick, and wipe it with a
clean rag or paper towel.
2. Push it back in all the way, wait three seconds, and pull it back
out again.
3. Check both sides of the dipstick, and read the lower
level. The fluid level must be in
the COLD (1) range for a cold
check, transmission
temperature 27 °C to 32 °C
(80 °F to 90 °F); between the
COLD (1) and HOT (3) range
for a WARM (2) check, 50 °C to
60 °C (122 °F to 140 °F); or in
the HOT (3) cross-hatched
range for a hot check, 71 °C to
93 °C (160 °F to 200 °F). Be
sure to keep the dipstick
pointed down to get an
accurate reading.
4. If the fluid level is in the acceptable range, push the
dipstick back in all the way;
then flip the handle down to
lock the dipstick in place.
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236 Vehicle Care
If No Steam is Coming from
the Engine Compartment
If an engine overheat warning is
displayed but no steam can be seen
or heard, the problem may not be
too serious. Sometimes the engine
can get a little too hot when the
vehicle:
.Climbs a long hill on a hot day.
. Stops after high-speed driving.
. Idles for long periods in traffic.
. Tows a trailer. See “Driving on
Grades” underTrailer Towing
0 201.
If the overheat warning is displayed
with no sign of steam: 1. Turn the air conditioning off.
2. Turn the heater on to the highest temperature and to the
highest fan speed. Open the
windows as necessary.
3. When it is safe to do so, pull off the road, shift to P (Park) or
N (Neutral) and let the
engine idle. If the engine coolant temperature
gauge is no longer in the overheat
zone or an overheat warning no
longer displays, the vehicle can be
driven. Continue to drive the vehicle
slowly for about 10 minutes. Keep a
safe vehicle distance from the
vehicle in front. If the warning does
not come back on, continue to drive
normally and have the cooling
system checked for proper fill and
function.
If the warning continues, pull over,
stop, and park the vehicle
right away.
If there is still no sign of steam,
push down the accelerator until the
engine speed is about twice as fast
as normal idle speed for at least
three minutes while parked. If the
warning is still on, turn off the
engine until it cools down.
If the decision is made not to lift the
hood, get service help right away.
Engine Fan
The vehicle has a clutched engine
cooling fan. When the clutch is
engaged, the fan spins faster to
provide more air to cool the engine.
In most everyday driving conditions,
the fan is spinning slower and the
clutch is not fully engaged. This
improves fuel economy and reduces
fan noise. Under heavy vehicle
loading, trailer towing, and/or high
outside temperatures, the fan speed
increases as the clutch more fully
engages, so an increase in fan
noise may be heard. This is normal
and should not be mistaken as the
transmission slipping or making
extra shifts. It is merely the cooling
system functioning properly. The fan
will slow down when additional
cooling is not required and the
clutch partially disengages.
This fan noise may be heard when
starting the engine. It will go away
as the fan clutch partially
disengages.
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Vehicle Care 269
unusual wear continues after the
rotation, check the wheel
alignment. SeeWhen It Is Time
for New Tires 0270 and
Wheel Replacement 0275.
If the full-size spare tire is part of
the tire rotation, make sure the
tire rotated into the spare
position is stored securely.
Push, pull, and then try to rotate
or turn the tire. If it moves, use
the wheel wrench/hoist shaft to
tighten the cable. See Tire
Changing 0278.Use this rotation pattern when
rotating the tires if the vehicle
has single rear wheels.
Use this rotation pattern when
rotating the tires if the vehicle
has dual rear wheels.
When installing dual wheels,
check that the vent holes in the
inner and outer wheels on each
side are lined up.
Adjust the front and rear tires to
the recommended inflation
pressure on the Tire and
Loading Information label after the tires have been rotated. See
Tire Pressure
0263 and
Vehicle Load Limits 0158.
Reset the Tire Pressure Monitor
System. See Tire Pressure
Monitor Operation 0265.
Check that all wheel nuts are
properly tightened. See “Wheel
Nut Torque” underCapacities
and Specifications 0318.
{Warning
Rust or dirt on a wheel, or on
the parts to which it is
fastened, can make wheel
nuts become loose after time.
The wheel could come off and
cause a crash. When
changing a wheel, remove any
rust or dirt from places where
the wheel attaches to the
vehicle. In an emergency, a
cloth or a paper towel can be
(Continued)
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276 Vehicle Care
Warning (Continued)
the vehicle, drive slowly, readjust,
or remove the device if it is
contacting the vehicle. Do not
spin the vehicle's tires. Follow the
manufacturer's instructions.
Caution
Use tire chains only where legal
and only when necessary. Use
chains that are the proper size for
the tires. Install them on the tires
of the rear axle. Do not use
chains on the tires of the front
axle. Tighten them as tightly as
possible with the ends securely
fastened. Drive slowly and follow
the chain manufacturer's
instructions. If the chains contact
the vehicle, stop and retighten
them. If the contact continues,
slow down until it stops. Driving(Continued)
Caution (Continued)
too fast or spinning the wheels
with chains on will damage the
vehicle.
For Cutaway models with LT245/
75R16 or LT225/75R16 size single
or dual rear tires, use Low Profile
Z-Chain or SAE Class S cables.
For Cargo or Passenger models
with LT225/75R16 or LT245/75R16
size tires, use Low Profile Z-Chain
cables. SAE Class S chains are not
recommended.
If the vehicle has dual rear tires, do
not use individual tire chains. Use
tire chains that fit across both dual
tires.
If a Tire Goes Flat
It is unusual for a tire to blow out
while driving, especially if the tires
are maintained properly. See Tires
0 255. If air goes out of a tire, it is
much more likely to leak out slowly. But if there ever is a blowout, here
are a few tips about what to expect
and what to do:
If a front tire fails, the flat tire
creates a drag that pulls the vehicle
toward that side. Take your foot off
the accelerator pedal and grip the
steering wheel firmly. Steer to
maintain lane position, and then
gently brake to a stop, well off the
road, if possible.
A rear blowout, particularly on a
curve, acts much like a skid and
may require the same correction as
used in a skid. Stop pressing the
accelerator pedal and steer to
straighten the vehicle. It may be
very bumpy and noisy. Gently brake
to a stop, well off the road,
if possible.
{Warning
Driving on a flat tire will cause
permanent damage to the tire.
Re-inflating a tire after it has been
driven on while severely
(Continued)
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1. Spare Tire
2. Tire/Wheel Retainer
3. Hoist Cable
4. Hoist Assembly
5. Hoist Shaft
6. Hoist Handle andExtension(s)
7. Wheel Wrench
1. Assemble the wheel wrench (7) to the hoist handle and the
extension(s) (6).
2. Open the passenger side rear door.
3. Insert the chisel end of the hoist handle, on an angle,
through the hole in the rear
floor panel above the bumper.
Be sure the hoist handle
connects to the hoist shaft. The
chiseled end of the hoist
handle is used to lower the
spare tire.
4. Turn the wheel wrench counterclockwise to lower the
spare tire to the ground.
Continue to turn the wheel
wrench until the spare tire can
be pulled out from under the
vehicle.
5. Pull the spare tire out from under the vehicle.
6. Tilt the tire toward the vehiclewith some slack in the cable to
access the tire/wheel retainer.
Tilt the retainer and pull it
through the center of the wheel
along with the cable and
spring.
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282 Vehicle Care
{Warning
Raising the vehicle with the jack
improperly positioned can
damage the vehicle and even
make the vehicle fall. To help
avoid personal injury and vehicle
damage, be sure to fit the jack lift
head into the proper location
before raising the vehicle.
5. Turn the wheel wrench clockwise to raise the vehicle.
Raise the vehicle far enough
off the ground so there is
enough room for the spare tire
to fit.
6. Remove all the wheel nuts.
7. Take the flat tire off of themounting surface.
{Warning
Rust or dirt on a wheel, or on
the parts to which it is
fastened, can make wheel
nuts become loose after time.
The wheel could come off and
cause a crash. When
changing a wheel, remove any
rust or dirt from places where
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
the wheel attaches to the
vehicle. In an emergency, a
cloth or a paper towel can be
used; however, use a scraper
or wire brush later to remove
all rust or dirt.
8. Remove any rust or dirt from the wheel bolts, mounting
surfaces, and spare wheel.